Episode 228: On a Wingull and a Prayer
On the very next day, Brendan, May, and Max have departed from Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel once again as they got on separate ships to head to Dewford Island. Brendan was going there for his own Gym battle as May and Max were heading there for the hot sandy beaches and to check out the local Pokémon that inhabit the island. Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu were searching for the boat to get them to Dewford Island.
"Man, these ships are getting booked faster than a hotel," Sora said.
"If I knew this would happen, we would have made it a lot earlier, and that way, we would have been already on our way by now," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Let's hurry and find one fast," Sora said. They tried to find an available ship, only to find one after the other already taking off. The one in front of them was no exception. Hey! Wait! Two more passengers coming aboard!"
"Forget it, Sora. It's too far off, so they can't hear you. Even if they could, they won't turn back," Kairi said.
"I guess you're right," Sora said. "We can always catch the afternoon ships. We might as well just kill some time while we're here."
"I guess you're right, Sora. There's nothing we can do but wait for the next one to head for Dewford Island," Kairi said.
"Did you two say, Dewford Island?" A new voice called out. The couple turned to see an elderly woman in front of them. "I think I know someone who can get you there."
"Really? Who?" Kairi asked.
"That would be Mr. Briney," the old woman said.
"Mr. Briney?" Sora asked.
"Oh yes. He's a very kind man. He owns a boat you two can use to get to Dewford Island. May I ask the purpose for heading there?" The old woman asked.
"The reason that we're heading to Dewford Island, is to head challenge the Gym Leader there," Sora said.
"Oh, so you're one of those," the old woman said. She then looks over to Kairi. "And may I ask if you're doing the same, young lady?"
"I'm going with my boyfriend for support," Kairi said.
"I see. It's always nice to have a special someone to support you whenever you need," the old woman smiled. "You two are lucky to have each other."
"Thanks. Do you know where Mr. Briney lives?" Sora asked.
"Oh my yes. He lives in a small house right on the old harbor. You should be able to find him there. He's probably fishing by now; but I doubt there any fish biting today. Or any day for that matter," the old woman said.
"Thank you," Sora said.
"Yes, thank you," Kairi added.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said.
The couple left to the old harbor to find Mr. Briney and use his boat to reach Dewford Island.
Elsewhere, the Team Aqua member from before came into the area looking around to make sure he isn't seen. He sets up his screen and it activates. Shelly's voice is only heard.
"Come in! Have you been successful in retrieving the Creation Fluids from the Devon Corporation?" Shelly asked.
"I had it with me and I hit a real snag," the Team Aqua member said.
"What do you mean by 'snag'? Don't tell me that you failed to retrieve it!" Shelly said.
"Wasn't my fault! I had it, and I would have been on my way with it if it weren't for the cops on my tail!" The Team Aqua member argued.
"The police are inconsequential. But your failure is unacceptable. You are being ordered to return to HQ at once. We'll send you a submarine to pick you up. The rendezvous will be Triangle Rock," Shelly said.
"Right. I'll be right there. I'll meet it there by boat," the Team Aqua member said.
"You better be there," Shelly said, breaking contact. Keith snarled as he puts away his equipment.
"Shelly doesn't need to know that I was foiled by those kids. That kid with the Pikachu better think twice when facing up with me again. And the same for that girl with that Eevee. I'll hang them up to dry when I see them again," the Team Aqua member vowed.
Just when he left the area, he is unaware of a man who was just passing by and he gasped when he realized he's the Team Aqua member that escaped capture. He takes out his Rotom Phone and dialed the number on it.
"Get me the police," the man said.
The couple made their way to the old harbor to find Mr. Briney's house. They can see that the place is old. Many of the buildings were old and boarded up. They all looked like places that a Rattata, a Raticate, a Meowth, a Koffing, a Weezing, a Grimer, a Muk, or any Ghost-type Pokémon would call home.
"Okay, that lady said Mr. Briney's house is somewhere around here, so how hard will it be?" Sora asked.
"It should be the only house around here since many of buildings here are boarded up," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
The Team Aqua member made it to the same area as Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel when he spotted an old man fishing on the docks. He has a Wingull sitting on his shoulder.
"You think anything is going to be biting today, Peeko?" The old man asked.
"Wingull!" Peeko chirped. The old man laughed.
"You always have faith in me, Peeko. I couldn't ask for a Pokémon as loyal as you," the old man said. He waited a few more minutes before he reeled in and decided to take a break from fishing. When he shut the door behind him, he didn't noticed, the Team Aqua member coming up from behind. "How about some lunch, my friend? I'll have your favorite treat whipped up in no time."
"Well, isn't this a sweet sight?" The Team Aqua asked, coming behind him. The old man turned to see him with his Crawdaunt out. "I hear that you have a boat I can use, old timer."
"Just who are you?! And what do you think you're doing in my house?!" The old man asked before he gasped in realization. "It's you! I heard some stories from my sailing comrades, about a gang of hoodlums and troublemakers called Team Aqua! Get out of my house!"
"We're more than just troublemakers, old man. I'm just meeting with the others and I need your boat to do it," the Team Aqua member said.
"I'll give you my boat on the day the ocean dries up!" The old man barked.
"I wasn't asking nicely, gramps," the Team Aqua member said. "Crawdaunt, grab that Wingull." Crawdaunt obeys and moves to grab Peeko. Peeko flies to escape the lobster-like Pokémon.
"Leave Peeko alone!" The old man demanded. He gave him a punch in the face, bringing the elderly sailor down. Crawdaunt has grabbed Peeko. Crawdaunt hands the Wingull to him and he puts the seagull Pokémon in a cage. "Peeko! Take the boat if you want, but leave Peeko out of this!" The old man shouted. He tapes his mouth shut.
"Shut up! I'm taking your boat, and I'm taking your Wingull as insurance; just so you wouldn't get any ideas about following me. You do, and you're never going to see your Wingull again!" The Team Aqua member threatened. The old man growled as he muffled in anger. He opened the door and he sees Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel outside. "Shit! It's those kids from yesterday! I would like to wring them up, but I don't have time." He makes his way out to the back door. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel had arrived to the house.
"This should be it," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Mr. Briney's house. It is the only house around for miles," Kairi said. Sora knocked on the door.
"Hello. Anybody home?" Sora asked as he knocked. "Mr. Briney?"
Inside the house, he tried to call out for help, but the couple couldn't hear him.
"You don't think he went out, do you?" Kairi asked.
"Maybe, because he would have answered the door. Maybe we should come back later," Sora said.
"That'll be too long. We should go and catch the afternoon boats," Kairi said.
"You're right. We'll make it just in time if we leave now," Sora said.
The couple left the house, but Pikachu's ears perked up when he heard something.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
They walked down the road as Officer Jenny rode in by motorcycle.
"This area is dangerous!" Officer Jenny warned and she recognized the couple. "Hey! You're two of those kids from yesterday!"
"That's us," Sora said.
"Why would you say that this area is dangerous? Is it because of that guy from yesterday?" Kairi asked.
"Yes. We received a call from a witness not too long ago. The Team Aqua member that escaped capture yesterday and was seen in this area. So be careful when you see him," Officer Jenny said.
"We will, Officer Jenny," Kairi said.
The policewoman drives off on her motorcycle and Kairi became concerned about something, and it has not escaped Sora's notice.
"What's the matter, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu also asked.
"I just thought of something. Something very, very, disturbing," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said with worry. Sora had a bad feeling something was up.
"Go on," Sora said hesitantly.
"When that one lady told us about Mr. Briney, she said he was home and fishing didn't she?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah. What about it? And I don't think I'm going to like what you have to say," Sora said.
"Okay, adding further on; when we got to his house we didn't hear anyone inside it, even when you knocked on the door," Kairi said.
"Figured it was too quiet inside," Sora said with concern. "We should head back and see if the guy is okay."
"Good idea. Let's go," Kairi said before she, Sora, Pikachu, and Angel went back to Mr. Briney's house to see if everything is okay. They reached the house and they knocked on the door.
"Hello? Mr. Briney? Are you home? And if you are, make some kind a sound! Knock something over, stomp on the ground! Anything!" Sora said. Inside, Mr. Briney muffled again and he stomps his feet to confirm he was home. Hearing the sound, they looked at each other and nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Briney! We're coming in!" Sora tried to open the door, but he found it was locked. He summoned his Keyblade and used it to unlock the lock. Sora opened the door. They gasped in shock when they found him tied to a chair. "Hang on! We'll have you out!" He ran over to him and pulled the tape off, causing him to yell in pain. "Sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it, sonny. You came along and that's all that matters," Mr. Briney said.
"Are you Mr. Briney?" Sora asked as he begins to untie his restraints.
"Yes, I am," Briney answered.
"Are you okay? What happened to you?" Kairi asked.
"A hoodlum from Team Aqua was here and he took my Wingull, Peeko, as his hostage," Mr. Briney said.
"I knew it," Kairi said. "It was him."
"You were right to be suspicious," Sora said as he finished untying him. "Where did he go?"
"He went to use my boat! We must hurry if we want to catch him," Mr. Briney said.
"Right! Let's go get him!" Sora said.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Mr. Briney left to go after the Team Aqua and rescue Peeko from him.
The Team Aqua member had arrived to the dock and used the key he swiped to unlock the lock and he enters the dock inside.
"This is it? Better than nothing. Now to use it before the cops get here," the Team Aqua said.
"It's right this way, kids!" Mr. Briney said.
"They found us. I guess I've got some time to play afterall. Crawdaunt, let's have some," the Team Aqua member said. Crawdaunt nodded and stepped out. The Rogue Pokémon stepped in front of Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Mr. Briney.
"That's the same Crawdaunt from yesterday!" Kairi said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"And they've got Peeko!" Mr. Briney said.
"I warned you not to come, old man," the Team Aqua member said. "Now, you're going to learn what happens if you defy me." Sora growls when he recognized him.
"You're that Team Aqua goon from yesterday!" Sora said. The Team Aqua member ended up laughing.
"Goon? Now you've gone and hurt my feelings," The Team Aqua member pretended to mope. "Didn't your mommy ever tell you it's not nice to call people names, kid?"
"Give Peeko back!" Sora shouted.
"She didn't do anything to you! Why would take her hostage?" Kairi asked.
"Because I felt good about making weaker creatures like this Wingull wet themselves. Why? Is that bad? Oh, it is, isn't it? Oh, how will I ever live with myself?" The Team Aqua member asked with sarcasm. "Lookie here, kiddies. I'm leaving here by boat, because my buddies from Team Aqua are picking me up. So, if I were you, I would just go home and have my milk and cookies just like good little brats."
"And if I were you, I watch who I mouth off to," Sora said.
"Yeah? And what are you going to do? Tell your mommies on me?" The Team Aqua member asked with even more sarcasm. Sora growls in anger. He turns to Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Thunderbo-" Sora was cut off when Kairi grabbed him by the arm.
"Sora, no! Pikachu's Thunderbolt may shock that Crawdaunt, but Peeko will be shocked, too!" Kairi said.
"You got that right, girlie! And if I was you, kid, I'd back off or else, My Crawdaunt will crush this little Wingull like a ripe grape," the Team Aqua member threatened. Crawdaunt moved its pincers down on the cage. Sora knew he was right and he had no other choice.
"Stand down, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu did as he was told and went back to his Trainer.
"Smart move, kid. Now, if you excuse me, I have some friends to meet," the Team Aqua member said as he gets to Mr. Briney's boat. The boat goes off.
"You won't get away with this! We'll get Peeko back! And you'll be sorry!" Sora called out to him.
"Pika!" Pikachu also called out.
"It looks like I have no other choice," Mr. Briney said. "Okay, kids. Come with me." He pushes a lever down and water goes down as an opening is revealed. A Wingull-shaped boat sitting on a platform comes up much to the amazement of Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel.
"You mean you had a spare all this time?" Sora asked.
"I never thought I would have to use it, but that Team Aqua scoundrel has left me no other choice, but to use it. Say hello to my super high-speed boat: the S.S Wingull!" Mr. Briney said.
"It's more like a ship than a boat," Sora said.
"And it's shaped like a Wingull," Kairi added.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Ha, we'll show Team Aqua a thing or three," Mr. Briney said.
"Then, what are we waiting for? Full speed ahead!" Sora said. Kairi giggled as she, Pikachu, and Angel gave a sailor's salute.
"Aye, aye, sir!" Kairi said.
"Pika, Pika, Pi!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee, vee, Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
They got on the S.S. Wingull and began their pursuit of the Team Aqua member. The ship sailed towards the boat to catch up with the boat. The boat was just up ahead.
"There it is!" Kairi said.
"Hold on, Peeko! I'm on the way!" Mr. Briney said.
The Team Aqua member and his Crawdaunt sailed off in the stolen boat and he looked over to the map.
"Okay, here I am. Triangle Rock. The submarine should be right beneath me," the Team Aqua member said.
"Crawdaunt!" The Crawdaunt said.
"Crawdaunt? What is it?" The Team Aqua member asked as he turned around and saw the ship coming right behind him. "HUH?! Where the hell did that come from?!"
"Team Aqua! Give Peeko back to me now! The oceans and I are tied together! You will never get away from me!" Mr. Briney spoke through the microphone.
"Spare me the dramatics, old man. If there's two things that I hate are determined kids and old people," the Team Aqua member said, gritting his teeth. "And I'm so close to getting away." The boat goes faster ahead.
"He's picking up speed," Sora said.
"And heading right towards Triangle Rock!" Mr. Briney added.
"I can bet that's where he's going to meet up with the rest of his Team Aqua buddies," Sora said.
"You're right. We need to stop him without hurting Peeko!" Kairi said.
"You're right. And I know a way to do it," Sora said, taking out two of his Pokéballs. "Treecko! Mudkip! Come on out!" Treecko and Mudkip both come out.
"Mudkip! Carry Treecko on your back and get to that boat, fast! Treecko! You help that Wingull!" Sora told his Pokémon. Mudkip jumps in the water as Treecko rode on him like a surfboard and started to head for the boat. The Team Aqua member saw the two Pokémon coming.
"I don't think so! Crawdaunt! Use Water Pulse!" The Team Aqua ordered. Crawdaunt forms a ball of water and slams it into the water and sends a tidal wave their way. Treecko held on to Mudkip as Sora and Kairi held each other as the S.S. Wingull shakes in the ocean's waves. "Follow up with Bubble Beam!" Crawdaunt fires Bubble Beam and it strikes the water in front of them. The Team Aqua member uses the wave to cover the escape of him and the lobster-like Pokémon. Once the wave had subsided, Sora saw only Peeko was still there, and still in the cage.
"He's gone! And it's still heading for Triangle Rock!" Sora exclaimed.
"Peeko!" Mr. Briney gasped.
"I got an idea! Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt and aim for the rock!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt and it strikes the rock, destroying the top, but not the whole thing. "Wasn't enough to destroy it!"
"And the boat's still heading straight for it!" Kairi gasped.
"Okay, kids! Hold on tight!" Mr. Briney said as he increased the speed. The ship goes faster and heads for the rock.
"We're dead!" Sora gasped.
"We're fine! Just watch!" Mr. Briney said as the ship made its way to the boat and makes it airborne. It goes completely over the other side. Peeko's cage goes flying into the ocean as Treecko and Mudkip reached the cage and swam back to the S.S. Wingull. "Peeko!" Mr. Briney took the cage from Treecko's hands. "Are you okay?"
"Gull, Wingull!" Peeko responded.
"What a relief," Mr. Briney said.
Suddenly, without warning, a large blue submarine with Team Aqua's symbol on it emerged from the sea.
"Team Aqua," Sora said.
"He did managed to escape after all," Kairi said.
The Team Aqua member and his Crawdaunt went inside the submarine and closed the hatch. The submarine sunk back into the sea and roamed off.
"Mark my words, Team Aqua, you have not seen the last of me, that I vow!" Mr. Briney stated.
"And I know we haven't seen the last of them," Sora said, clutching his fist. "They're going to be very sorry when we see them again."
"I hope it won't be too soon," Kairi said. "But you're right, Sora. They will be very sorry."
Inside the submarine, the Team Aqua member stands before two people who are a much higher ranking. One is a tall, muscular man, who wore blue gloves and blue pants. He has blue eyes, wearing a black headwear around his head with several blue "teeth" around his face. His suit is torn apart and shows Team Aqua logo painted on his chest. He wore white-outlined pants, with light blue details on his knees and feet. Around his neck and waist,he wore a yellow rope. The other is a woman dark tan skin and waist-length black hair in a fly-away style with two locks being blue, just like her eyes. Shelly wears a red lipstick, blue eyeshadow, has a black bandana and a pair of goggles on her head that look like the ones worn by professional swimmers but is connected by a metal link . She wore a blue shirt with long sleeves, exposing her thumbs, shoulders and her entire midriff with a Team Aqua logo on it. She also wore white-outlined blue pants, with light blue details on her knees and feet. She wore a yellow chain around her hips and has the area on the side of her thighs exposed.
"You better have a good reason for reporting to us empty-handed," the large man barked.
"Nice to see you too, Matt," the Team Aqua member said, shivering. He was afraid of the large man.
"That Creation Fluid was in our grasp and you let it slip through your fingers! What happened?" The woman asked.
"It wasn't my fault, Shelly. I just had some bad luck, that's all," the Team Aqua member said.
"It better be the best excuse you've got, otherwise, we you wouldn't be here with us right now," Matt said.
"I'll do better next time! I swear it!" The Team Aqua member said.
"I'm sure you can. But for now, rejoin the other grunts and await further instructions," Shelly said. He didn't say more and took off. He walked by the other grunts while the male members wore the same thing as the female members wore the same thing, but their outfits exposed their midriffs..
"We should have let him rot in the slammer where we found him," Matt said.
"Let it go, Matt. Archie is far more interested in one thing and one thing only," Shelly said.
"You mean the legendary Blue Orb. Archie has been obsessed with finding it," Matt said. "He's been looking for it for years, and I don't even think it exists."
"Well, Archie does. And if he says it exists, then it exists. Besides, we need the Blue Orb if we're gonna control Kyogre. Team Magma are searching for the Red Orb and they have the same idea for Groudon," Shelly said.
"Why is that Blue Orb so important to him, anyway?" Matt asked.
"As I already said, the Blue Orb will allow its holder to control Kyogre. Imagine, the power to control legendary Pokémon and make our infinite ocean a reality. The land has served its purpose since man has first walked on two legs. And now it's time for humanity to take its rightful place back to the sea where we belong," Shelly said. Matt smiled as he liked the idea.
"You had me at the infinite ocean a reality part," Matt said with glee.
"Glad you're on board, Matt," Shelly said. She speaks into a com. "Send us back to HQ at once. We make our report to Archie."
"Ma'am!" The Team Aqua grunts said as they cruised through the sea.
Back to Rustboro City it was night, Mr. Briney had already let Peeko out of the cage and happily ate the Pokémon food that she had provided.
"There now. Is that good?" Kairi asked kindly.
"Wingull!" Peeko beamed.
"I'm glad," Kairi said, as she gave the seagull Pokémon some more. "Here, Peeko, eat as much as you want." Not needing to be told twice, the seagull Pokémon happily ate the Pokémon food.
"Thank you very much for rescuing my Peeko from that hoodlum, kids. I am eternally grateful for what you've done for me," Mr. Briney said.
"You don't have to thank us, sir," Kairi said.
"My girlfriend and I were happy to help you out. Besides, we couldn't let him get away with it," Sora said.
"Both of your hearts were in the right place all the same," Mr. Briney said, smiling.
"Anyway, in all the excitement, we haven't been properly introduced. My name's Sora," he introduced.
"And I'm Kairi," she also introduced.
"Good to meet you both. Just where do you need to go?" Mr. Briney asked.
"Kairi and I are heading for Dewford Island for my next Gym battle," Sora said. "And we were wondering if you would you take us there." Mr. Briney laughed.
"Sure thing, kids. I would love to. It's a small token of my appreciation for helping to rescue Peeko," Mr. Briney said. "Also, I can order you some Rustboro pasta, on me. I'm sure you two are mighty hungry from all that excitement as well." Their stomachs growled and they held them in embarrassment.
"Come to think of it, we haven't eaten a thing since this morning," Sora said.
"And that pasta does sound very good, if you ask me," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Great! I'll make the order right away," Mr. Briney said. Sora and Kairi were lucky to have a sample of the Rustboro Pasta. And that they will stay the night since all the excitement. As they ate their meal a question came to Sora's mind.
"Since all of the places here have been boarded up, how come you stayed right here?" Sora asked. Mr. Briney laughed.
"Well, they couldn't wait to move over to the new port, so I stayed here, since it suits me just fine," Mr. Briney said. "I've been here for many years. I once sailed the seven seas as a young sea captain. I left behind loads of memories for peoples in many different places. In the years of sailing, I then retired from the captain's life and then my life became boring. One day after another, and thrills of traveling through the seven seas have drifted into memory."
"Wow," Sora said.
"Then, how did you meet Peeko?" Kairi asked. He laughed again.
"One day, I was fishing down the docks, when I spotted a Wingull came flying out of nowhere. Watching that Wingull as it lived freely, flying through the skies, I felt the unmistakable power of my youth swelling up inside of me again. So, I named her Peeko and she's been by my side ever since. Then, I knew the time to travel the world's oceans has come. This time with my precious Peeko by my side," Mr. Briney explained.
"That's quite a story," Sora said.
As the meal went on, Mr. Briney shared his stories about his days as a young sea captain, sharing all his past experiences. Loads of people he had encountered and Pokémon he has come across. He went on about his tales right to when it was time for bed. After a goodnight's sleep, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel boarded the S.S. Wingull and began their sail towards Dewford Island and the second Gym of the Hoenn region.